Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
GCSE
Forename(s) BIOLOGY
Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work. 8461/1F
F
Paper 1 Foundation Tier
GCSE Mark scheme
BIOLOGY June 2025
Foundation Tier Paper 1F Version: 1.0 Final
Tuesday 13 May 2025 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
Materials
For Examiner’s Use
For this paper you must have:
• a ruler Question Mark
• a scientific calculator.
1
Instructions 2
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 3
• Pencil should only be used for drawing. 4
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
5
• Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of 6
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). 7
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want 8
to be marked.
• In all calculations, show clearly how you work out your answer. TOTAL
Information
• The maximum mark for this paper is 100.
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• You are expected to use a calculator where appropriate.
• You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation
in your answers.
256G84611F/MS
*jun2584611F01*
IB/G/Jun25/G4006/E9 8461/1F
, 2
MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – JUNE 2025
Do not write
outside the
Answer all questions in the spaces provided. box
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
0 1 This question is about cells. standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
0 1 . 1 Figure 1 shows an animal cell seen through a microscope. As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
Figure 1 standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
What is part X in Figure 1?
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
[1 mark]
Tick () one box.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Cytoplasm
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
Mitochondrion
Vacuole
0 1 . 2 Name one structure found in the nucleus.
[1 mark]
0 1 . 3 Name one cell part that is found in a plant cell but is not found in an animal cell.
[1 mark]
Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third
party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2025 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
*02*
2
IB/G/Jun25/8461/1F
, 3
MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – JUNE 2025
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 4 Root hair cells are found in plants. box
Information to Examiners
Which substance do root hair cells absorb from the soil?
[1 mark]
Tick () one box.
1. General
Glucose
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
Protein
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
Water
• extra information to help the examiner make their judgement
• the Assessment Objectives and specification content that each question is intended to cover.
The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the mark scheme and
should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
0 1 . 5 A sperm cell is a specialised cell.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where consequential
marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the diagram or at a different
What is the function of a sperm cell? place on the script.
[1 mark]
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which confuse
the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is straightforward and
consistent (for example, a scientifically correct answer that could not reasonably be expected from a
student’s knowledge of the specification).
2. Emboldening and underlining
Question 1 continues on the next page
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is used, with
the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or.
Alternative words in the mark scheme are shown by a solidus eg allow smooth / free movement.
2.4 Any wording that is underlined is essential for the marking point to be awarded.
Turn over ►
*03*
3
IB/G/Jun25/8461/1F
, 4
MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – JUNE 2025
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 6 Draw one line from each specialised cell to the type of organism where the box
specialised cell is found.
[2 marks]
3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which students have
provided extra responses. The general principle to be followed in such a situation is that ‘right +
wrong = wrong’.
Each error / contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of errors /
contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no marks can be
awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (indicated as * in example 1) are not penalised.
Example 1: What is the pH of an acidic solution?
[1 mark]
Student Response Marks
awarded
1 green, 5 0
2 red*, 5 1
0 1 . 7 The cell membrane controls which substances move into and out of cells. 3 red*, 8 0
Which two processes move substances into and out of cells? Example 2: Name two magnetic materials.
[2 marks] [2 marks]
Tick () two boxes.
Student Response Marks awarded
1 iron, steel, tin 1
Active transport 2 cobalt, nickel, nail* 2
Diffusion
3.2 Use of symbols / formulae
Mitosis If a student writes a chemical symbol / formula instead of a required chemical name, or uses
symbols to denote quantities in a physics equation, full credit can be given if the symbol / formula
is correct and if, in the context of the question, such action is appropriate.
Mutation
3.3 Marking procedure for calculations
Respiration Marks should be awarded for each stage of the calculation completed correctly, as students are
instructed to show their working. At any point in a calculation students may omit steps from their
working. If a subsequent step is given correctly, the relevant marks may be awarded.
Full marks should be awarded for a correct numerical answer, without any working shown.
Full marks are not awarded for a correct final answer from incorrect working.
3.4 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers to the correct
subject.
*04*
4
IB/G/Jun25/8461/1F
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
GCSE
Forename(s) BIOLOGY
Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work. 8461/1F
F
Paper 1 Foundation Tier
GCSE Mark scheme
BIOLOGY June 2025
Foundation Tier Paper 1F Version: 1.0 Final
Tuesday 13 May 2025 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
Materials
For Examiner’s Use
For this paper you must have:
• a ruler Question Mark
• a scientific calculator.
1
Instructions 2
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 3
• Pencil should only be used for drawing. 4
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
5
• Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of 6
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). 7
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want 8
to be marked.
• In all calculations, show clearly how you work out your answer. TOTAL
Information
• The maximum mark for this paper is 100.
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• You are expected to use a calculator where appropriate.
• You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation
in your answers.
256G84611F/MS
*jun2584611F01*
IB/G/Jun25/G4006/E9 8461/1F
, 2
MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – JUNE 2025
Do not write
outside the
Answer all questions in the spaces provided. box
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
0 1 This question is about cells. standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
0 1 . 1 Figure 1 shows an animal cell seen through a microscope. As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
Figure 1 standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
What is part X in Figure 1?
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
[1 mark]
Tick () one box.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Cytoplasm
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
Mitochondrion
Vacuole
0 1 . 2 Name one structure found in the nucleus.
[1 mark]
0 1 . 3 Name one cell part that is found in a plant cell but is not found in an animal cell.
[1 mark]
Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third
party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2025 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
*02*
2
IB/G/Jun25/8461/1F
, 3
MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – JUNE 2025
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 4 Root hair cells are found in plants. box
Information to Examiners
Which substance do root hair cells absorb from the soil?
[1 mark]
Tick () one box.
1. General
Glucose
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
Protein
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
Water
• extra information to help the examiner make their judgement
• the Assessment Objectives and specification content that each question is intended to cover.
The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the mark scheme and
should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
0 1 . 5 A sperm cell is a specialised cell.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where consequential
marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the diagram or at a different
What is the function of a sperm cell? place on the script.
[1 mark]
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which confuse
the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is straightforward and
consistent (for example, a scientifically correct answer that could not reasonably be expected from a
student’s knowledge of the specification).
2. Emboldening and underlining
Question 1 continues on the next page
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is used, with
the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or.
Alternative words in the mark scheme are shown by a solidus eg allow smooth / free movement.
2.4 Any wording that is underlined is essential for the marking point to be awarded.
Turn over ►
*03*
3
IB/G/Jun25/8461/1F
, 4
MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1F – JUNE 2025
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 6 Draw one line from each specialised cell to the type of organism where the box
specialised cell is found.
[2 marks]
3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which students have
provided extra responses. The general principle to be followed in such a situation is that ‘right +
wrong = wrong’.
Each error / contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of errors /
contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no marks can be
awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (indicated as * in example 1) are not penalised.
Example 1: What is the pH of an acidic solution?
[1 mark]
Student Response Marks
awarded
1 green, 5 0
2 red*, 5 1
0 1 . 7 The cell membrane controls which substances move into and out of cells. 3 red*, 8 0
Which two processes move substances into and out of cells? Example 2: Name two magnetic materials.
[2 marks] [2 marks]
Tick () two boxes.
Student Response Marks awarded
1 iron, steel, tin 1
Active transport 2 cobalt, nickel, nail* 2
Diffusion
3.2 Use of symbols / formulae
Mitosis If a student writes a chemical symbol / formula instead of a required chemical name, or uses
symbols to denote quantities in a physics equation, full credit can be given if the symbol / formula
is correct and if, in the context of the question, such action is appropriate.
Mutation
3.3 Marking procedure for calculations
Respiration Marks should be awarded for each stage of the calculation completed correctly, as students are
instructed to show their working. At any point in a calculation students may omit steps from their
working. If a subsequent step is given correctly, the relevant marks may be awarded.
Full marks should be awarded for a correct numerical answer, without any working shown.
Full marks are not awarded for a correct final answer from incorrect working.
3.4 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers to the correct
subject.
*04*
4
IB/G/Jun25/8461/1F
